Ikkicon, 2015

I've actually never attended an anime specific convention.  I've been to other types of cons... including a Japanese Culture Con that obviously had a lot of anime in it, but never just anime based.  Ikkicon is held yearly in Austin, Tx.  This year, it was held Jan 2-4 at one of the Hilton locations downtown.  I decided that I wanted to go, and that I wanted to cosplay (dress up).  My biggest problem with this was that I'm not a seamstress.  Maybe one day, but not yet.  Luckily, my friend Courtney is an extremely talented seamstress (knitter, spinner, artist, etc etc), and so I asked her if she would be able to help me out with this endeavor.  I suggested a few ideas (all images taken off google images):

Haramura Nodoka from Saki

Nonon Jakuzure from Kill la Kill

Hitagi Senjougahara from Bakemonogatari

I was initially looking for someone with pink hair, as that was my current hair color.  After discussing it with Courtney, it seemed that Nonon was out due to the proximity of the event and the complexity of her costume.  And after debating it through a bit, I decided on Senjougahara because her uniform was not quite as generic, and there was a higher chance of being recognized.

There was a debate on whether I should get a wig or dye my hair, but in the end, I decided to dye my hair.  So, based on that, the costume became based on Senjougahara after she cuts her hair.

Without much further ado, here is my rendition:

The sweater was extra because it was cold out, and we were about to leave.  I think it worked out pretty well, don't you?  :o)  I was only able to make one day of the con, but a number of people recognized the costume, and a few even asked if they could take a picture.

It was a fantastic experience.  Once inside the center, just about everyone was dressed up in some fashion.  Some in cosplay, some harajuku, some Lolita, and a few just in appropriately cutesy cute items.  So many people had ears on, stockings with bunnies, Totoro shirts, etc.  All in all, it was incredibly fun, and I can't wait till the next time an event like this occurs.  Only next time, I will find appropriate shoes ahead of time.  >.<  No heels for a con again!

Happy Hippos!

My Project

Pattern:  Feet Eaters by Anna Hrachovec
Yarn:  Berroco Vintage (blue), and Cascade 220 Superwash (red and white).  I did use up almost 2 balls of the blue, and the red took most of 1 ball of Cascade.  The whites can be done easily with just scraps of yarn.

I honestly don't know how I feel about this pattern.  They did come out looking right, but everything about making them felt cobbled together.  It didn't feel like it could possibly come out looking right, yet it did.  Is that a good thing?  Maybe?

Well, here are some of my big notes.  The original sole is not thick enough, in my opinion.  It is knit with the yarn held double, but still feels a bit floppy.  My dad has a tendency to eat through his slippers quickly, so I thought I'd go ahead and make a second sole.  My second sole is removable, and so can be replaced, if he wears through them.  The ears are the same size for all 3 sizes.  This means they seem a little tiny for the largest size, IMHO.  The same can be said about the teeth, but each size uses a different number of teeth, so that is adjusted for there.

My last aside is that I"m terrible at embroidery!  Maybe especially so on knitted fabric.  Not a single one of my eyes looks even remotely like another.  :o/  Oh well.  My dad said they were very warm, and so it looks like they are good for their purpose.  :o)

Cascading Cables Mitts

My Mitts

Pattern:  Cascading Cables Mitts and Mittens
Yarn:  Princess by Classic Elite (now discontinued)

Yay, I can finally post about my holiday projects!!!  Here are my first ones...

I don't think I can say how much I love this pattern!!  They're super cute, pretty easy flow of the pattern, and knit up very quickly!  Glowing glowing compliments, highly recommend!

This was a Christmas present for my friend Sarah who is a writer living in New Jersey.  The long length of these mitts will help keep her warm, but she needs her fingers free so she can type away!  I knit these in September as the beginning of my present making spree.  :o)  They are now mailed off, and she should have them already.  I hope they keep her warm in these cold months.

For those interested on the other side, they are ribbed along the arm, but plain stockinette for the hands.

Holiday Knitting

How many of you guys are making knitted gifts for the holidays this year? How many of you are still working on them? I know, I am! I've got two more to finish, and possibly a third to start and finish, if I have the time for it. :op We'll see if that happens.

I hope everyone has a great holiday (is having/will be having), and I'll be checking in with some posts after the holiday season of the gifts I made this year.

Movie Knitting

What sorts of projects do you enjoy knitting while watching a movie?  At home, I can knit on just about anything as long as I have the light on.  At a movie theatre... not so much.  I usually stick with things with tons of stockinette for those situations.  Anyone out there have any good patterns that they love for going out?  Please share!  I'd love to see them.  :o)

Tis the Season

Now is the time when my needles seem to be filled with accessories for others.  Gift season starts for me in October and continues through into the beginning of January.  I'm rushing this year because, in additions to presents, I'm also knitting up a lot of new patterns that I'm hoping to get out while it's still cold out.  I've only managed to finish about three presents so far.  My aim is to get about ten gifts made up for Christmas, and to publish at least one quick to knit design by Dec. 1st.

How about you?  What are some of your favorite patterns to make for others?  Any quick projects that are also impressive to gift?  What about receive?  Are there types of items you like best?  Cowls, scarves, mittens, hats, etc?

Japan Part 2

So, here we are... I think this represents the... third day of our stay while in Japan.  Miho took us to some popular sites in Tokyo.  If I'm not mistaken, you'd get off at the Harajuku station to see this.  

Can you believe there's a temple like this in the middle of Tokyo?  Beautiful grounds, quiet little retreat.  Apparently, one of the most popular locations for Tokyo natives to go for New Years.  It is the Meiji Shinto Shrine.

Before entering, one should cleanse your hands.

It is a very popular wedding spot.  There were two wedding processions while we were there!

Almost literally across the street from that quiet, serene shrine is one of the brightest and most crowded shopping streets in all of Tokyo!  Takeshita Dori!  (Most well known for having the Goth and Lolita dressing people walking up and down.)

And the popular Harajuku girls.

I did find this sweet little dress though!  One of my purchases of the trip that was for myself.  :o)

On the way home, we stopped at Shinjuku.  There's this delicious udon place there that I very highly recommend!!  Unfortunately, this sign might be all we have to go on for it.  But it's great.  They make your noodles fresh from scratch when you order!!  Mmmmm...